The Swan Princess: Christmas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Swan Princess: Christmas
DVD cover.
Directed by	Richard Rich
Produced by	Richard Rich Seldon O. Young Jared F. Brown
Screenplay by	Brian Nissen
Story by	Richard Rich Brian Nissen
Starring	Laura Bailey Yuri Lowenthal James Arrington G.K. Bowes Sean Wright
Music by	Vassal Benford
Editing by	Joe Campana
Studio	Crest Animation Productions Nest Family Entertainment
Distributed by	Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release date(s)	November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06)
Running time	83 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Swan Princess: Christmas is a 2012 American animated movie. It's a fantasy film for the whole family. Richard Rich directed it. The movie was made by Crest Animation Productions and Nest Family Entertainment.

This film is the fourth one in The Swan Princess series. It came out 14 years after the last one. The story is about Princess Odette and Prince Derek. They are celebrating their very first Christmas together. The first three movies were drawn by hand. But The Swan Princess Christmas was the first to use 3D CGI animation. This means it was made completely with computers.

Only a few actors from the older movies came back. James Arrington returned from the first film. Doug Stone came back as Speed. Sean Wright also returned as Rothbart. This movie was followed by The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale. That film also used 3D computer animation. It came out one year later.

Plot Summary: A Christmas Adventure

Princess Odette and Prince Derek are going to Queen Uberta's castle. They want to celebrate their first Christmas as a married couple. But they don't know that the evil sorcerer Rothbart is back. He's now a spirit.

Rothbart gets help from a black cat named Number 9. He promises the cat nine extra lives. Number 9 tricks Derek into opening a special chest. This chest has the letter 'R' on it. When Derek leaves, Rothbart appears from the chest as a ghost.

Rothbart's plan is to ruin Christmas. He wants to destroy the kingdom's Christmas spirit. This spirit is stronger than his magic. If he destroys it, he can become a real person again. Rothbart casts small spells. These spells make people argue. He makes Queen Uberta and Lord Rogers fight. Then he makes the villagers argue too. Soon, almost everyone in the village is unhappy.

Derek and Odette find out Rothbart is back. Wind chimes playing their song, "Far Longer than Forever," make him visible. The chimes also stop him from moving. So, they put chimes all over the castle. But Rothbart gets help from Bridget. She was his helper in the first movie. Bridget helps him take down the wind chimes.

Queen Uberta and Lord Rogers are planning Christmas shows. But Rothbart's spell makes them compete angrily. Odette sings her own song, "Christmas is the Reason." This song makes Rothbart's spell weaker for a moment. Odette then asks Uberta and Rogers to give gifts and food to the poor. This act of kindness breaks the spell on the whole kingdom. Rothbart becomes very weak.

Rothbart has one last chance to ruin Christmas. He plans to destroy the royal Christmas tree. He sends Number 9 to steal a Christmas light. Rothbart puts a dark spell on it. This spell will burn the tree. Derek learns about this plan from Bridget. She has tricked Rothbart and trapped him inside a giant chime.

Derek rushes back to the Christmas Eve party. He tries to stop the tree from being lit. But it's too late. The enchanted light bulb bursts. The tree and its decorations catch fire. Rothbart becomes a real person again. He takes Uberta's crown and turns it into his own. Then he kidnaps Odette. He takes her back to Swan Lake.

At Swan Lake, Rothbart turns Odette into a white swan again. He traps her in a cage made of roots. Speed, Puffin, and Jean-Bob arrive. Puffin tries to attack Rothbart. But the sorcerer knocks him down. He turns Puffin into a Christmas ornament. Rothbart then puts a spell on the moonlight. If the moonlight touches Odette's wings, she will turn into a golden swan ornament forever.

Derek arrives to save Odette. Rothbart turns into the Great Animal again to fight Derek. At first, Derek is losing. But Odette starts singing "The Season of Love." This song weakens Rothbart. He bursts into flames and dies. With Rothbart defeated, Odette turns back into a human. Puffin also returns to normal. Derek is badly hurt and dies in Odette's arms. Odette is very sad and sings again. The strong spirit of Christmas brings Derek back to life. It also fixes the royal Christmas Tree. At the Christmas party, the kingdom puts a new ornament on the tree. It honors Derek and Odette.

Meet the Voice Cast

Here are the talented actors who lent their voices to the characters:

• Laura Bailey (known as Elle Deets) as Princess Odette
  • Summer Eguchi sang for Princess Odette
• Yuri Lowenthal as Prince Derek
  • Michaelangelo sang for Prince Derek
• Jennifer Miller as Queen Uberta
• Joseph Medrano as Lord Rogers
• Sean Wright as Sir Rothbart
• David Lodge as Number 9 and Footman #1
• Catherine Lavine as Bridget and a Village Woman
• James Arrington as Sir Chamberlain
• Clayton James Mackay as Jean-Bob
• Gardner Jaas as Puffin
• Doug Stone as Speed, Sir Peter, and Footman #2
• Joey Lotsko as Bromley, Butler, and Footman #3
• Brian Nissen as Ferdinand the Chef
• Maxine Blue as Wood Cutter's Wife
• G.K. Bowes as Caretaker
• Gabriela Miller as a Girl
• Catherine Parks as Maid
• Ashley Spain as a Girl
• Joseph Van de Tacht as a Boy

Music from the Movie

Vassal Benford created all the music for The Swan Princess: Christmas. Two music albums were released with the film.

One album is called "17 Songs from The Swan Princess Christmas." It came out on October 22, 2012. This album has the Christmas songs from the movie. It also has some instrumental music.

The second album is "The Swan Princess Christmas Soundtrack." It was released on November 8, 2012. This one has more music, with 34 tracks. It includes all the songs and instrumental pieces from the film. Both albums feature a special studio version of "Season of Love." This is Odette's song from the movie. It's sung by Anna Graceman.